Course Overview

The aims of the Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Nursing Practice) programme are to enable experienced registered nurses, who have a related MSc in nursing, to develop an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for an expanded autonomous scope of practice. The finite characteristics are shaped by the: context in which the individual practices; the needs of patients/clients; and the challenges and developments within the health services.
The programme is designed to prepare the students as autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high quality direct care to a specific patient /client group. In particular, the Advanced Nurse Practitioner will be empowered to promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for patients/clients, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines.  

The programme further aims to support the students to develop their role as autonomous members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP). 

This broad based 1 year post graduate programme for students who already have a Masters in Nursing related to the advanced nurse/midwife clinical practice area.

The diploma includes modules pertaining to nurse/midwife prescribing, research and the advanced practice role. In addition, there are 2 clinical competency assessment modules – 96 hours pertaining to prescribing and 500 hours of advanced practice clinical mentorship.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Applicants will be reviewed in tranches and you will be communicated with in due course on receipt of your completed application. Earlier and fully completed applications will be prioritised. Please ensure you have all requirements for your application as incomplete applications will not be considered. For reconsideration, applicants will have to reapply incurring reapplication costs. 

Who Teaches this Course

researcher
Ms Catherine Meagher
RGN,RM,RNT,BNS, MSC
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researcher
Dr Linda Biesty
M.Sc. B.Sc. PgDip
Senior Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
NUI Galway
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researcher
Dr Maura Dowling
MSc,BNs,RNT,RGN,RM Cert Oncology,PhD
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researcher
Dr Catherine Houghton
RGN, RSCN, RN, HDip, MHSc, PhD.
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researcher
Dr. Fionnuala Jordan
RPN, PG.Dip.,PhD
Lecturer Above The Bar
T: 019- 493818
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Mr Bernard McCarthy
RGN, R.N.M.H, Bsc, Msc
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researcher
Dr Peter Carr
M.Sc., PhD
Senior Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Aras Moyola
NUI Galway
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Ms Brona Mooney
MSc, BNS(HONS), PhD.
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Requirements and Assessment

Students are assessed using a variety of methodologies including MCQ, OSCE, Assignment, Portfolio, Case Study.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be:

  1. Be registered as a nurse or midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);
  2. Have a minimum of an honours primary degree in Nursing or equivalent
  3. Be currently employed as a nurse or midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme
  4. Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 500 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form
  5. Written commitment/memo of understanding or equivalent from the director of nursing/employer to support the student during the clinical practicum and to nominate a suitably qualified practitioner to act as a clinical supervisor during the student's clinical learning experience
  6. Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse prescribing. This includes:
  • Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years) 
  • Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in
  • Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
  • Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education.
  • Have support of both a Professional (DON, ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form;

Provide evidence of support from an employer and completed Site Declaration Forms containing confirmation of a clinical supervisor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level in midwifery (including midwife prescribing).

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

60

Award

CAO

Course code

1PNA1

Course Outline

Course Modules

Year One

  • Decision Making, and Advanced Practice Professional Roles
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing
  • Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing 
  • Clinical Practicum
  • Competency Assessment (Prescribing)

 

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Students who successfully complete this programme are eligible to register as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) with NMBI.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€4,340 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€4,200 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€13,550 p.a. (€13,690 including levy) 2024/25


Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here

Find out More

Dr Collette KirwanProgramme Director
E: collette.kirwan@universityofgalway.ie

www.nuigalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing/

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